https://tinyurl.com/yaluu24q
Brightline to become Virgin Trains USA
FLORIDA’s privately-funded inter-city rail operator Brightline announced on
November 16 that it will be renamed Virgin Trains USA after signing a
strategic partnership and trademark licensing agreement with the Virgin
Group.
Brightline launched services between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm
Beach in May 2018 and currently has plans to expand to Orlando and Tampa.The
company is also developing plans for a high-speed line between California and
Las Vegas after its recent takeover of the Xpress West project.
Brightline says it will transition to Virgin Trains USA branding in 2019. As
part of the agreement an affiliate of Virgin group will make a minority
investment in Brightline, with an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group
retaining a majority stake.
“Our private sector-led effort to reinvent passenger rail service in America
is taking another leap forward with the addition of the Virgin team,” says
Mr Wes Edens, chairman of Brightline and co-founder of Fortress Investment
Group. “Virgin has built a respected and trusted brand in travel and
hospitality. With our shared focus on customer experience, powered by a
culture of innovation and disruption, we are well positioned to build on our
success.”
“We have had a lot of fun and success creating innovative transport
businesses that shake up markets and establish loyal followings,” says
Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson. “We transformed domestic air travel
with Virgin America. Tens of millions of Americans travel on the railways
every day, and we have tried for over a decade to find an opportunity to
provide them with that same excellent service experience.
“Brightline is at the forefront of innovation in this market, and the ideal
partner for Virgin to work with to alter perceptions and traveling habits
across the United States.”
美國佛州的城際鐵道業者Brightline與維珍集團合作 由維珍集團少量注資
將自2019年易名為美國維珍鐵道 Virgin Trains USA